Every 'Next Big Thing' In Wrestling History: Where Are They Now?

12. Lex Luger

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WWE

Vince McMahon was desperate in 1993. 

He knew the good times were over and that the business was in the drain. Hulk Hogan was fading as a box office attraction and Vince had no idea what to do. 

What if he…just did Hulk Hogan again? 

Lex Luger, after his dismal Narcissist run, was suddenly repackaged as an all-American hero. He body-slammed Yokozuna on the USS Intrepid. 

This guy’s just as wide as André - and we were at war with him 48 years ago! 

Watching as a young kid, this was all inexplicable and difficult to buy. Who is this guy who just rides a bus and celebrates not winning the belt? And, more pertinently, why isn’t he Bret Hart? 

The Luger mega-push bombed, but it was a desperate failure of promotion more than it was a “skill issue”: Luger, upon returning to WCW in 1995, was instrumental in shifting the momentum away from the WWF in the early years of the Monday Night Wars. 

These days, Luger is a hit on the convention circuit and has turned his life around following a career-long battle with substance abuse. A spinal cord injury in 2007 dramatically altered his life. Luger now uses a wheelchair permanently, but thanks God for his renewed perspective and allowing him to embrace his humility.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!